"Oh, isn't this Jinhe? Why are you back!" Yun Daman exclaimed, surprised and delighted.
Zhao Guihua also put down the dumpling wrappers and quickly stepped forward, picking up a towel to wipe the wet rain from her son's head.
The autumn rain was chilling. If he got completely soaked, he could easily catch a cold.
"Son, quickly put down your books and come to the kitchen to warm yourself by the fire!"
Zhao Guihua was so happy her eyes disappeared.
Yun Jinhe was the only scholar in the family, and she felt proud and honored.
Naughty boys his age were everywhere in Dashui Village.
They would spend their days robbing bird nests on the hillsides, catching rabbits, and digging for wild vegetables, completely disregarding their studies.
Fortunately, her father-in-law and mother-in-law valued these things.
Otherwise, Jinhe would never have had the chance to study...
"Mother, I'm not cold!" Yun Jinhe grinned sheepishly.
He walked a few steps to Xiao Xitian and reached out to rub her little head.
"Wow, little aunt seems to have grown taller again!"
Yun Jinhe's face was full of surprise. He wanted to hug his little aunt but was afraid of getting her clothes wet.
Xiao Xitian giggled, patting Jinhe's hand like a little adult.
"Big nephew, so handsome!"
After more than half a year, Yun Jinhe's face had matured a bit.
He had bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and was already taller than Zhao Guihua.
"Little aunt is so good, did you miss me!" Yun Jinhe squatted down to tease her.
Xiao Xitian's big eyes rolled, "Miss nephew..."
As soon as she said this, the whole family burst into laughter.
They truly wished that their little treasure could stay this way forever and not grow up.
Because at this age, the little girl was the most adorable and cuddly.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I tested first place at the academy!"
Yun Jinhe rushed back specifically to tell his family that he had come in first.
From now on, he could study in the advanced class...
Old Man Yun was overjoyed, his eyes wide. "Good, you've truly brought honor to our old Yun family."
"Eldest daughter-in-law, is there still a piece of wolf meat in the vegetable cellar?"
"Quickly take it out, chop it up, and make dumplings for Jinhe!"
"Yes!" Zhao Guihua replied and went out with a smile.
Yun Jinshan: "..."
Wait, I just wanted meat dumplings, and you all ignored me.
As soon as Eldest Brother returned, even the last piece of wolf meat was going to be ground for filling.
Are you guys too biased?
Madam Gu also praised with a smile, "Keep up the good work, and test for a scholar next year!"
"Don't worry, Grandma, your grandson will definitely bring you honor!" Yun Jinhe said confidently.
Yun Erman patted his nephew's shoulder, full of pride. "I told you Jinhe is cut out for studying."
"As long as we support him to succeed, no one will dare to bully our family in the future!"
Old Man Yun stopped making dumplings and looked at Madam Gu. "Old woman, Jinhe got first place in the entire academy, should we arrange a few tables and let the villagers celebrate!"
This was a great joy for the whole family and deserved to be celebrated.
Xiao Xitian also raised her hands in agreement, "Celebrate... celebrate!"
Madam Gu smiled slightly and did not object.
A celebration was possible, but the family had more vegetables than meat.
They would have to buy some from the county town.
"Erman, go to the county town and buy some pork!"
"Understood, Mother!"
"Daman, go and notify the neighbors to come to our house for dinner tonight!"
"Alright!"
Yun Daman and Yun Erman bustled out.
Madam Gu then looked at Zhao Guihua, "Eldest daughter-in-law, kill two chickens, pick the larger ones."
The family had raised quite a few chickens, and two fat pigs.
The pigs were to be slaughtered during the New Year, and were currently in the fattening stage.
"Okay!" Zhao Guihua replied and rushed out of the room towards the chicken coop.
"Huaihua, prepare more firewood and help your sister-in-law. Xier, stay and make dumplings!"
Today's staple food was steamed dumplings with dandelion filling.
The wolf meat filling was reserved for Yun Jinhe.
Jin Huaihua was efficient in her work, and Hu Xier was also nimble-fingered.
The dumplings she made looked like little white rabbits, lifelike and vivid...
"Cui Rong, you go... Huh? Where is Cui Rong?" Madam Gu looked around curiously.
Old Man Yun sighed, "She went out with Erman."
Madam Gu's eyes flickered, but she said nothing.
Xiao Xitian, with nothing to do, also ran out with a 'dada' sound.
She wanted to go to the county town with her second brother.
Yun Erman hitched the horse cart and looked back at Liu Cui Rong, disdainfully saying, "Why are you following? Go back!"
It was just buying a piece of pork, and she was being so suspicious.
This woman was probably truly mad.
"I'm going too!" Liu Cui Rong plopped down on the cart shaft, refusing to budge.
The young wives in the village looked at Erman with wolf-like gazes.
They wished they could swallow him whole.
If she didn't watch him constantly, who knew what trouble might arise.
Yun Erman was annoyed and led the horse cart out.
"Second brother..." a crisp little voice called out.
Xiao Xitian had put on her little floral jacket herself and ran towards Yun Erman like a little meatball.
"To the county town!" Xiao Xitian said.
"Oh, little sweetie, come to second sister-in-law!"
Liu Cui Rong jumped off the cart and held Xiao Xitian in her arms. "When we get to town, second sister-in-law will buy you sugar figures!"
Xiao Xitian: "..."
This baby doesn't want sugar figures.
Yun Erman thought that if his sister came along, it would save him from arguing with Liu Cui Rong.
So, he informed his parents and then drove the horse cart out of Dashui Village.
The fields in late autumn were desolate.
Gusts of cold wind swept through, making the cart curtains flap noisily.
The dirt road to the county town was bumpy, and the cart did not move fast.
On both sides of the road were withered mugwort, dense and tall, from which the quacking sounds of wild ducks could occasionally be heard.
Just then, a strange rustling sound suddenly erupted.
The jujube-red horse neighed and stopped moving forward...
"Huala la!"
The mugwort bushes shook violently, crackling, as if something was rolling inside, which was quite eerie.
Yun Erman gripped the reins tightly and squinted, "What the heck?"
As soon as he finished speaking, more than ten strong and fat wild boars rushed out.
They were larger than domestic pigs, agile and swift, and very aggressive.
The jujube-red horse pawed the ground and, pulling the cart, turned to flee.
"Hey, hey, hey, stop!"
Liu Cui Rong called out to Yun Erman, pointing to the back of the cart, "Wild... wild boars, there are wild boars!"
Xiao Xitian snuggled in Liu Cui Hua's arms, her eyes half-closed as if dozing.
"I see them, but our horse won't listen!"
No matter how Yun Erman pulled the reins, the jujube-red horse refused to stop.
It galloped forward with all its might, kicking its four hooves.
"Oh no, so many wild boars, why can't we catch even one!"
Liu Cui Rong lamented, looking at Xiao Xitian in her arms.
That's right, her sister-in-law was a lucky charm, she should have a way!
"Sweetie, you..."
Before she could finish speaking, the cart suddenly lurched.
A wild boar caught up and, with a "bang," crashed into the carriage and died.
Immediately after, two more wild boars hit a corner of the carriage, grunted twice, and kicked the bucket.
The other wild boars dispersed, and the jujube-red horse also calmed down.
"Wow, whatever you wish for comes true. With such big wild boars, how much meat will there be!"